U.S. patent application number 14/726415 was filed with the patent office on 2016-01-21 for apparatus, system and method of retaining hand tools.
The applicant listed for this patent is Scott HADDON, Lance Tesoroni. Invention is credited to Scott HADDON, Lance Tesoroni.
Application Number | 20160016306 14/726415 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55073831 |
Filed Date | 2016-01-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160016306 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HADDON; Scott ; et
al. |
January 21, 2016 |
APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD OF RETAINING HAND TOOLS
Abstract
A retaining system embodying a method and apparatus for
adjustably retaining hand tools in any position on a ferromagnetic
surface, such as on the exterior of heavy equipment or in a truck
bed is provided. The retaining system may embody an elongated
channel member and a tool retainer. The tool retainer may include a
pair of clip flanges extending generally perpendicular from a base.
The pair of clip flanges may form a tension clip for securing
handles of the hand tools within a receptive cavity. The base may
provide a magnet for removably attaching to the ferromagnetic
surface. Moreover, the base may provide interlocking projections
along its periphery so that two or more tool retainer may be
interlocked together when stacked one on top of another.
Alternatively, the tool holders may be slidably secured within the
channel member, when nearby attachment surfaces are made of
non-ferromagnetic material.
Inventors: |
HADDON; Scott; (East
Stroudsburg, PA) ; Tesoroni; Lance; (Saylorsburg,
PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HADDON; Scott
Tesoroni; Lance |
East Stroudsburg
Saylorsburg |
PA
PA |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55073831 |
Appl. No.: |
14/726415 |
Filed: |
May 29, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62025803 |
Jul 17, 2014 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/70.6 ;
248/537 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B 2001/0035 20130101;
F16B 2/22 20130101; B25H 5/00 20130101; B25H 3/04 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B25H 3/04 20060101
B25H003/04; F16B 1/00 20060101 F16B001/00; F16B 2/22 20060101
F16B002/22; B25H 5/00 20060101 B25H005/00 |
Claims
1. A tool retainer, comprising: a base comprising: a mounting face;
and an opposing flange face; a pair of clip flanges extending
generally perpendicular from the flange face; and a magnet disposed
along the mounting face.
2. The tool retainer of claim 1, further comprising a magnet cavity
formed within the mounting face, wherein the magnet cavity is
adapted and dimensioned to removably receive the magnet.
3. The tool retainer of claim 2, further comprising a fastener hole
formed within the magnet cavity.
4. The tool retainer of claim 1, further compromising a peripheral
sidewall interconnecting the mounting face and the flange face,
wherein a first configuration of projections are formed along a
first portion of the peripheral sidewall, and wherein a
mirror-image of the first configuration of projections are formed
on an opposing second portion of the peripheral sidewall.
5. The tool retainer of claim 4, further compromising a female
notch and a male bump formed amongst the first configuration of
projections, wherein a complementary female notch and a
complementary male bump are formed amongst the mirror-imaged
projections of the second portion.
6. The tool retainer of claim 1, further compromising an arcuate
portion formed along each clip flange so as forming a receptive
pocket between the two opposing arcuate portions.
7. The tool retainer of claim 1, wherein the pair of clip flanges
terminate to define a slide-in void.
8. A tool retainer, comprising: a base comprising: a mounting face,
wherein a magnet cavity is formed within the mounting face, and
wherein a fastener hole is formed within the magnet cavity; an
opposing flange face; a peripheral sidewall interconnecting the
mounting face and the flange face; a first configuration of
projections formed along a first portion of the peripheral
sidewall, and wherein a mirror-image of the first configuration of
projections are formed on an opposing second portion of the
peripheral sidewall; and a female notch and a male bump formed
amongst the first configuration of projections, wherein a
complementary female notch and a complementary male bump are formed
amongst the mirror-imaged projections of the second portion; a pair
of clip flanges extending generally perpendicular from the flange
face, wherein an arcuate portion is formed along each clip flange
so as forming a receptive pocket between the two opposing arcuate
portions, and wherein the pair of clip flanges terminate to define
a slide-in void; and a magnet adapted and dimensioned to be
received by the magnet cavity.
9. The tool retaining system, comprising: the tool retainer of
claim 4; and an elongated channel member forming a track, wherein
the track is dimensioned and adapted to slidably engage both the
first portion of the peripheral sidewall and the second portion of
the peripheral sidewall.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S.
provisional application No. 62/025,803, filed 17 Jul. 2014, the
contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to storage and, more
particularly, to a system embodying a method and apparatus for
adjustably retaining hand tools in any position on a ferromagnetic
surface, whether that surface is disposed on the exterior of heavy
equipment, around a job site, in a truck bed, in a truck cab, in a
car trunk, in a garage, in or on a utility closet or the like.
[0003] There are no easy, adjustable ways to transport or organize
hand tools and implements having elongated, round handles, such as
shovels, rakes, and the like. Such hand tools stacked in a
disorganized jumble in closets, garages, pickup beds, or on the
ground are difficult to retrieve and are often damaged or lost.
Moreover, such hand tools tend to slide around in the back of a
truck or trunk of a car unless one installs a bulky, permanent and
often damaging retaining device. In addition, transporting such
hand tools inside heavy equipment is dangerous and difficult, yet
there are no hand tool retaining devices operable for the exterior
or interior of heavy equipment.
[0004] Current retaining devices for hauling, storing and
organizing hand tools are attached with screws, tape, straps, or
glue, and so are not adjustable and can't be removed easily.
Furthermore, by being fixed in place, they take up limited cargo
space and cannot be adjusted to suit the tool, job site or cargo
hauling needs.
[0005] As can be seen, there is a need for a system embodying a
method and apparatus for adjustably retaining hand tools in any
position on a ferromagnetic surface, whether that surface is
disposed on the exterior of heavy equipment, around a job site, in
a truck bed, in a truck cab, in a car trunk, in a garage, in or on
a utility closet or the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In one aspect of the present invention, a tool retainer
includes a base having a mounting face and an opposing flange face;
a pair of clip flanges extending generally perpendicular from the
flange face; and a magnet disposed along the mounting face.
[0007] In another aspect of the present invention tool retainer
includes a base having a mounting face, wherein a magnet cavity is
formed within the mounting face, and wherein a fastener hole is
formed within the magnet cavity; an opposing flange face; a
peripheral sidewall interconnecting the mounting face and the
flange face; a first configuration of projections formed along a
first portion of the peripheral sidewall, and wherein a
mirror-image of the first configuration of projections are formed
on an opposing second portion of the peripheral sidewall; and a
female notch and a male bump formed amongst the first configuration
of projections, wherein a complementary female notch and a
complementary male bump are formed amongst the mirror-imaged
projections of the second portion; a pair of clip flanges extending
generally perpendicular from the flange face, wherein an arcuate
portion is formed along each clip flange so as forming a receptive
pocket between the two opposing arcuate portions, and wherein the
pair of clip flanges terminate to define a slide-in void; and a
magnet adapted and dimensioned to be received by the magnet
cavity.
[0008] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following drawings, description and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary embodiment
of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention;
[0012] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention, shown in use;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention; and
[0016] FIG. 8 is a section detail view of an exemplary embodiment
of the present invention, taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The following detailed description is of the best currently
contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the
invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense,
but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general
principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is
best defined by the appended claims.
[0018] Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a
retaining system embodying a method and apparatus for adjustably
retaining hand tools in any position on a ferromagnetic surface,
such as on the exterior of heavy equipment or in a truck bed. The
retaining system may embody an elongated channel member and a tool
retainer. The tool retainer may include a pair of clip flanges
extending generally perpendicular from a base. The pair of clip
flanges may form a tension clip for securing handles of the hand
tools within a receptive cavity. The base may provide a magnet for
removably attaching to the ferromagnetic surface. Moreover, the
base may provide interlocking projections along its periphery so
that two or more tool retainer may be interlocked together when
stacked one on top of another. Alternatively, the tool holders may
be slidably secured within the channel member, when nearby
attachment surfaces are made of non-ferromagnetic material.
[0019] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 8, the present invention may
include a retaining system for storing and organizing hand tools
and implements having handles, such as shovels, rakes, and the
like. The retaining system may embody an elongated channel member
30, at least one tool retainer 10 and a method of using them for
storing and organizing the hand tools.
[0020] Each tool retainer 10 may include a pair of clip flanges 12
extending generally perpendicular from a base 14. The base 14 may
form a generally rectangular cuboid having a mounting face 40
opposing a flange face 42, both of which are defined by a pair of
opposing vertical walls 44 and a pair of opposing horizontal walls
46 along a periphery of the base 14.
[0021] A plurality of spaced-apart projections 16 may be formed
along each horizontal wall 46, wherein the pattern of spaced-apart
projections 16 on one horizontal wall 46 may be the mirror image of
the pattern of spaced-apart projections 16 on the opposing
horizontal wall 46, whereby two tool retainers 10, similarly
oriented, with one horizontal wall 46 stacked on the other's
(opposing) horizontal wall 46 would interlock their mirror-image
patterns of spaced-apart projections 16. Such interlocking mating
removably secures the two tool retainers 10 together so that they
work in tandem about the same tool handle 24.
[0022] In certain embodiments, at least one projection 16 forms a
female notch 36, while another at least one projection 16 forms a
male bump 34 on the same horizontal wall 46, wherein projections 16
on the opposing horizontal wall 46 form a complementary male bump
34 and female notch 36 adapted and dimensioned to releasably mate
with the opposing male bump 34 and female notch 36 during stacked
interlocking.
[0023] The mounting face 40 may form a magnet cavity 18, generally
centrally disposed therein, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Recessed
within the magnet cavity 18 may be formed a fastener hole 48. The
tool retainer 10 may include a magnet 20 secured within the magnet
cavity 18. The magnet 20 may be secured thereto by a fastener 22
connected through a magnet hole and into the fastener hole 48. Each
clip flange 12 may form a complementary arcuate portion as each
extends from the flange face 42 so as they define a generally
circular reception pocket 50. The pair of clip flanges 12 may
terminate so as to define a slide-in void 52 in communication with
the reception pocket 50. The reception pocket 50 may be adapted and
dimensions to secure about rounded tool handles 24. Together the
pair of clip flanges 12 form a tension clip positionable so that
the slide-in void 52 expands in an open configuration to removably
receive the tool handles 24 and then retract to their original
configuration, removably securing the tool handles 24 within the
reception pocket 50.
[0024] In certain embodiments, notches may be formed along an edge
portion of each clip flange 12 for enabling smaller diameter tool
handles to be held in place with self adhesive foam, zip ties,
heavy rubber band or the like.
[0025] The retaining system may include the elongated channel
member 30. The channel member 30 may be generally C-shaped so as to
form a track dimensioned and adapted to slidably receive a
plurality of tool retainers 10, operably engaging the opposing
horizontal walls 46, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. Along a
portion of the channel member 30 a plurality of track mounting
holes 32 may be formed for securing the channel member 30 to an
attachment surface using mechanical fasteners.
[0026] A method of using the present invention may include the
following. A user may mount the mounting face 40 of the tool
retainer 10 to a ferromagnetic attachment surface 28 via the magnet
20 so that the pair of clip flanges 12 extend therefrom. Then the
user may removably secure the handle 24 of a hand tool within the
receptive pocket 50 so as to store and/or organize at least one
hand tool within the accompanying space.
[0027] By attaching the tool retainer 10 to a shovel handle, rake,
hoe or any round handled tool in two places the user can then place
the tool on the inside lateral side of a pickup bed. The tool is
now off the bed floor allowing room for cargo and easy access from
the rear or side of the truck. Attaching the tool retainer 10 to a
snow shovel or ice scraper carried in the trunk of a car allows the
tool to be attached to the roof of the trunk leaving more room for
other items. By attaching two or more tool retainers 10 to a hand
tool with two handles 24 enables said hand tool to be removably
connected to any ferromagnetic attachment surface 28 at each
handle, so both are secured, as illustrated in FIG. 6.
[0028] In certain embodiments, the mounting face 40 may not house
the magnet 20, but rather the user secures the mounting face 40 to
a non-ferromagnetic attachment surface by attaching the fastener 22
through the fastener hole 48. In an alternative embodiment, the
user fastens the channel member 30 the non-ferromagnetic attachment
surface through its track mounting holes 32, and slidably populates
the track with need tool retainers 10.
[0029] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing
relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *